In answer to Mr. Harris' request for specific instructions as to how to teach in India, 'Abdu'l-Baha's only reply was,
"Face the people with a smile on your face and the love of God in your heart and rely wholly upon the Holy Spirit."
(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Hooper Harris, 1906, when he was going to India to teach the Faith)
The people who come here are divided into two classes. One comes here as dead and returns alive; ignorant and returns wise; withered and returns fresh and fragrant.
This class is likened to the man whose body is healthy and who comes out into the fresh country or the green and verdant prairie where he shall sense the life-giving breeze and healthful sunshine, and from whence he shall depart with great joy and vigor. Or, like a man who is hungry and goes to a well spread table and attains fullness therefrom. The other class resembles the man who is sick and incapable of enjoying the blessings and surroundings of the country, or of eating the wholesome foods. Now the food is rich and edible, but the man is sick and hence incapable of obtaining nourishment therefrom. Thus he goes back in the same condition as before.
Again, one is like the dry wood or oil which is ready for combustion or ignition; as soon as it contacts with fire, it is set aglow. Whereas, another class resembles a stone which may be placed for a thousand years in the fire and yet will not become ignited and shed a radiance.
Again, the sea has innumerable pearls in its depths. A good and trained diver will obtain therefrom abundant pearls, whereas one unacquainted with and incapable of this attainment can only obtain the shells.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to American Pilgrims Charles and Mariam Haney, Akka, February 1909; ‘A Heavenly Feast’)
Another Baha’i lady is presented. For the last 35 years she has been making hats to cover the heads of the poor. She desires to serve. She longs to do some actual service in the Cause. The Master smiles in her face. She is earnest. Then He slowly opens His heavenly treasury of wisdom:
For 35 years you have been making hats for the heads of the poor people. Now is the time to make heavenly crowns for them so that they may adorn their heads - such crowns whose brilliant jewels may scintillate throughout centuries and cycles. This crown is the guidance of God and the knowledge of the Kingdom of Abha!
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)
To a railroad man He said:
You are paving the material roads. May you become able to straighten the pathway to heaven. That is more important. Straighten the path for the Kingdom of God is nigh. Be a heavenly lineman.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)
Looking after one's health is done with two intentions:
First: Man may take good care of his body with the intention of satisfying his personal wishes.
Second: Or he may look after his health with the good intention of serving humanity and of living long enough to discharge one's duty towards mankind.
The latter is most commendable.
A teacher shall sleep at night with the thought that the next day he may be refreshed in order to do his duty more fully in relation to teaching his pupils. Therefore Mrs. -- must take good care of her health. Just look at Mr. --'s very good health - see how much work he can do, how much work he can stand! Whatever work is referred to him, he can discharge it fully.
But remember that the essential health is spiritual heath, for by means of spiritual health eternal life is obtained; whereas, through physical health only physical results are obtained. 'Abdu'l-Baha
-'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to American Pilgrims Charles and Mariam Haney, Akka, February 1909; ‘A Heavenly Feast’)
There are many subjects which are difficult for man to solve. But during prayer and supplication they are unveiled and there is nothing that man cannot find out. Muhammed said: 'Prayer is a ladder by which everyone can ascend to heaven.’ If one's heart is cut from the world his prayer is the ascension to heaven.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of Abdul-Baha, from notes of Alma Albertson and other pilgrims, November and December, 1900)
On one occasion ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to us,
At present rocks and thornbushes surround the Shrine of the Báb, but in the future this place will be encompassed by an abundance of trees and flowers and will be visited by all the peoples of the world. This Shrine you are viewing now will soon be expanded and its construction completed. In the future a kind of electrical power will be discovered which gives light from stone, and eventually the walls of the Shrine will be composed of such stone.
(Pilgrim notes by Nuru’d-din Mumtazi, 1920, published as ‘Memories of Nine Days’, translated and edited by Ardeshir Khodadad Forudi and Sheridan A. Sims; ‘Baha’i Library Online)
Every object in this world has the power of combustion. The objects by themselves and in themselves will not be ignited. A flame is necessary. I hope you will become that flame to enkindle the hearts.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)